Pellets and seeds

[SunnyTheConure]

Do you guys keep pellets and seeds in the cage overnight I have been leaving the seeds in the cage for the last year no problem with mice now I got pellets and they have a fruity smell which is very strong when I first take it out the packet but I'm pretty sure the smell dies down after a while. Can I leave it in the cage without any problem from mice it's for my ringneck.

 

[noodles123]

I, personally, leave them in overnight. Some people choose not to (for a variety of reasons) but I feel justified in doing what I do. Mice certainly can be an issue, depending on your house etc....I have never removed food at night (except when giving meds) and so far....knock on wood...no issues.

 

[SunnyTheConure]

I, personally, leave them in overnight. Some people choose not to (for a variety of reasons) but I feel justified in doing what I do. Mice certainly can be an issue, depending on your house etc.

We haven't had mice in our house for over a few years we had issues before but they where never In the room with the birds. They only came cause the neighbor's did building work and the mice came from there otherwise no issue.

 

[SunnyTheConure]

Mice and rats would only really only come if it was unhygienic and seeds and pellets were on the floor right. Hygiene is my number one priority.

 

[chris-md]

I also keep dry food in the cage overnight.

 

[Scott]

I let them have food access 24/7/365. However, the amount of food wasted is unbelievable!

 

[SunnyTheConure]

Also if you guys dont mind me asking what would be the best way to put the seeds into the bowl. The budgies seed is in a food storage box so it's hard to pour it like how I do with the other food.

 

[Scott]

Do you have a small measuring cup with a spout, or perhaps a large spoon?

 

[noodles123]

Mice and rats would only really only come if it was unhygienic and seeds and pellets were on the floor right. Hygiene is my number one priority.

Not necessarily-- I mean, they can smell things, so hygiene helps a lot, but if they can sniff it out, they will go to it sometimes if they are in your home (again, I have never had an issue, but just saying...). For instance, people have dog-bowls that they leave out and sometimes find that mice will eat the food. The biggest thing would be to keep the grate/tray and surrounding floor clean to prevent them from being super interested. If you don't have mice in your home and you haven't had many issues, I doubt they will be attracted if you haven't noticed problems yet. You could always get some live-traps and bait them with something more appealing if you are worried (BUT PLLLLLEEEEAAASSSSSEEEE don't forget to check them if you do--nothing worse than glue-traps or an un-checked live trap...).

 

[SunnyTheConure]

Okay thanks what would be the signs that I have a problem and do you think they would fit through the bar spacing of a budgie cage. I'm more worried about the small bird with my ringneck if anything touches his cage he will bite it so I dont think it would be a good idea for a mice to go near there.

 

[noodles123]

poop is the biggest indicator- check edges of walls. Sometimes you can hear them moving around too, but poop is the biggest thing (behind things, along walls etc). I don't think a rat could easily fit in a cage-- mice..yes, rats- unlikely. Mice are way less aggressive than rats in general.

Don't worry too much-- IDK what your house set-up is, but generally people see signs if they have a mouse problem. When I was in West Bengal, we did have mice, lizards and an occasional toad because our house had these drains in the bathroom that went straight to the outside! BUT, the house wan't well-sealed. You could have probably reached outside through the drains from inside the house if you had small hands and long enough arms...you could see the light coming in through them in the bathroom.
We also had them in our basement in the US and in both cases, there were signs.

I SHOULD have them now, because I have gotten so busy with work that I sometimes don't sweep as much as I should in a given day, and still, no issues...KNOCK ON WOOD!

 

[Laurasea]

I let them have food access 24/7/365. However, the amount of food wasted is unbelievable!

ditto

Ditto

 

[SunnyTheConure]

Thanks no evidence of poop or anything like the birds being disturbed but I have a java perch attached to the budgies cage and it has bark on it that they like peeling off. When I went there in the morning I saw some bark on the floor and got worried.